Each working group made up of members of our community prepared SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analyses to inform their work, and some have prepared PEST (political, economic, social and technology influences) analyses.

Letcombe Brook has no legal protection, is not designated as important priority habitat, suffers from a range of issues and challenges; ecological status under the Water Framework Directive is failing 'Moderate to Poor'.

Pressure from central government to convert and update old housing stock for residential use - large, non-local commercial developers uninterested in conservation and may actively subvert it.

Local authorities apparently unable or unwilling to prevent damage to or destruction of historic buildings, even in Conservation Areas, e.g. 16thcentury(?) Blanshards building, inappropriate doors and double glazing in some properties. Enforcement officers need to deal with these issues